Posted on Categories Forests, Land Use, Local OrganizationsTags , , , Leave a comment on Preservation Ranch deal: Tentative $24.5 million deal would halt controversial plan for vineyards

Preservation Ranch deal: Tentative $24.5 million deal would halt controversial plan for vineyards

Brett Wilkison, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

A national conservation group has reached an agreement to buy nearly 20,000 acres of timberland in northwestern Sonoma County, a move that derails the long-disputed, forest-to-vineyards conversion project pushed by CalPERS, the giant state workers pension fund.

The $24.5 million purchase of the so-called Preservation Ranch, to be completed by the end of May, is led by The Conservation Fund, based in Virginia. It would contribute up to $6 million toward the purchase.

via $24.5 million deal to protect 20,000-acre Sonoma County forest | PressDemocrat.com.

Posted on Categories WaterTags Leave a comment on State rules for vineyard erosion move toward 2013 adoption

State rules for vineyard erosion move toward 2013 adoption

Jeff Quackenbush, NORTH BAY BUSINESS JOURNAL
Proposed state regulations on North Coast vineyard erosion are moving toward draft rules to be considered for adoption in 2013.
Through Jan. 2, San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board staff will be taking comments on a draft conditional waiver of waste-discharge requirements for vineyard properties in the Napa River and Sonoma Creek watersheds and an associated draft document on environmental affects of the waiver program. Those drafts were released Nov. 16, and the board is set to consider them at a public hearing set for Feb. 13 in Oakland.
via State rules for vineyard erosion move toward 2013 adoption – North Bay Business Journal – North San Francisco Bay Area, Sonoma, Marin, Napa counties – Archive.

Posted on Categories Water, WildlifeTags , , , Leave a comment on Mendocino County judge tosses out states frost-protection rules

Mendocino County judge tosses out states frost-protection rules

Glenda Anderson & Cathy Bussewitz, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
A Mendocino County judge on Wednesday overturned controversial state water rules designed to regulate how grape growers in Sonoma and Mendocino counties divert water from the Russian River. Superior Court Judge Ann Moorman declared the law to be “constitutionally void” and “invalid.”“There is not substantial evidence in the record to show the regulation, as enacted, is necessary,” she said.
The regulations were aimed at preventing endangered and threatened fish from becoming stranded and dying when farmers take water from the river to protect their crops from frost. Grape growers spray water on the vines to form a protective shield of ice when temperatures fall below freezing
via Mendocino County judge tosses out states frost-protection rules | PressDemocrat.com.

Posted on Categories ForestsTags , , , Leave a comment on Environmental groups file lawsuits over Artesa vineyard project

Environmental groups file lawsuits over Artesa vineyard project

by Brett Wilkison, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Three environmental groups sued the state and a Spanish wine conglomerate on Thursday over approval of a hotly disputed vineyard project in northwest Sonoma County.
The groups oppose plans by Artesa Vineyards and Winery of Napa, owned by the Spanish wine giant Grupo Codorniu, to clear about 150 acres of second-growth forest and former orchard land outside of Annapolis to grow chardonnay and pinot noir grapes.
via Opponents file lawsuits over Artesa vineyard project | PressDemocrat.com.

Posted on Categories ForestsTags , , , Leave a comment on State OKs Artesa Vineyards forest-to-vineyard plan

State OKs Artesa Vineyards forest-to-vineyard plan

by Brett Wilkison, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

State forestry officials on Tuesday approved a controversial timber-to-vineyard conversion project in northwest Sonoma County, following through with a decision expected months ago.

The decision on what is considered the largest timber-to-vineyard project in state history clears the most significant regulatory hurdle facing Artesa Vineyards and Winery.

State OKs forest-to-vineyard plan in Sonoma County | PressDemocrat.com.

Posted on Categories ForestsTags , , , Leave a comment on Sonoma County adopts hillside vineyard restrictions

Sonoma County adopts hillside vineyard restrictions

by Kevin McCallum, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
New rules making it tougher to rip up forested hillsides to plant vineyards won qualified approval from the Sonoma County Board of Supervisor Tuesday.
The stronger erosion prevention measures were unanimously approved by the five supervisors, but most acknowledged that the process was viewed as frustrating and flawed by many involved.
via Sonoma County adopts hillside vineyard restrictions.

Posted on Categories ForestsTags , , , Leave a comment on Draft rules out on hillside vineyard tree removal in Sonoma County

Draft rules out on hillside vineyard tree removal in Sonoma County

by Kevin McCallum, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Sonoma County grape growers aiming to convert forested hillsides with neat rows of vineyards will have to prove their projects won’t damage local waterways under draft regulations released Thursday.
The new rules, proposed by Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner Tony Linegar, would prohibit tree removal on the steepest of slopes, keep vineyards 50 to 100 feet away from unstable hillsides, and require three years of follow-up to ensure the regulations are effective.
“The ultimate goal of these standards is to protect water quality,” Linegar said.
via Draft rules out on hillside vineyard tree removal in Sonoma County | Petaluma360.

Posted on Categories ForestsTags , , Leave a comment on Sonoma County Artesa timber-to-vineyard conversion headed for approval

Sonoma County Artesa timber-to-vineyard conversion headed for approval

by Brett Wilkison, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
State officials signaled this week they intend to approve a controversial timber-to-vineyard conversion project in rural northwest Sonoma County, overruling the latest wave of objections, this time from some neighbors, local tribes and several elected officials.
via Sonoma County timber-to-vineyard conversion headed for approval | PressDemocrat.com.

Posted on Categories ForestsTags , , , , Leave a comment on Petition to Cal-Fire: Stop clear-cutting redwoods to plant vineyards

Petition to Cal-Fire: Stop clear-cutting redwoods to plant vineyards

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=rvfdvycab&et=1109275800063&s=381&e=001DPyFFgYxbqrtUyflRyAWJJlwJloteMhncqSEHORmQPl4Cv6Ehh8b3vKQxph8zO1Ez0O3OGxYuoBD58eLlTq83L93xR3kiEhX388dVJVplSByzusxcO4btg==
Tell the California Department of Forestry (CALFIRE) to suspend certification of Artesa WInery’s Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and allow public comment on relevant changes in circumstances and impacts.
Public comment is needed now more than ever because of Sonoma County’s brand-new moratorium on vineyard conversions and the urgent reasons for it – all of which are completely censored in the public record for Artesa!

Read and sign the petition Stop Clear-Cutting Redwoods to Plant Vineyards

Link to today’s PD article: Artesa’s controversial timber-to-vineyard plan nears approval

Posted on Categories ForestsTags , , , , , Leave a comment on Activists protest Preservation Ranch at Sonoma County Board of Supervisors meeting

Activists protest Preservation Ranch at Sonoma County Board of Supervisors meeting

By Cathy Bussewitz, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Dozens of environmental activists adorned with branches and dressed like fluffy redwood trees demonstrated outside the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday to protest a proposal to convert nearly 1,800 acres of coastal forests to vineyards.
Photo Galleries
Preservation Ranch Protest
A man costumed as an eight-foot tall bottle of “Pinot Egrigio” labeled “Chainsaw Wine” wielded a fake chainsaw before the animated trees.
“It’s a Sonoma County vintage,” said Dave Jordan, volunteer with Friends of Gualala River, a group that carpooled down from Gualala to Santa Rosa to attend the meeting. “It’s not against wine. It’s not against vineyards. It’s about cutting down redwood forests to plant grapes.”
via Activists protest Preservation Ranch at Sonoma County Board of Supervisors meeting | PressDemocrat.com.